The perception of biology by Czech lower secondary school students

Abstract

© 2019 by the authors. Attitudes toward science are more frequently explored than attitudes toward particular science subjects, such as biology. In many countries, however, biology is taught separately from other science subjects. The main aim of this investigation was to detect students' attitudes towards biology, by using a questionnaire as a research tool. Moreover, the partial aims were revelation of influence of gender, residence and grade level on the students' attitudes towards biology. The sample size was created by 363 students from lower secondary schools. The questionnaire (BAQ) consisted of 31 items of Likert type, divided into four dimensions (1. Biology as a school subject; 2. Informal education; 3. Difficulty and 4. Interest in Biology). In addition, the influence of independent variables was observed in the four dimensions mentioned above. Furthermore, the correlation among dimensions was analyzed as well. Overall score in attitudes toward biology gained by lower secondary school students was neutral. Girls had more positive attitudes toward biology than boys. Mean score according to classes was decreasing with raising of grade level, but without statistically significant effect. More positive attitudes toward biology were revealed among rural students.